A 22-year-old Wheaton College student is facing arson and vandalism charges after a dormitory hall has caught fire six times since late November, law enforcement officials say.
Police arrested Janelys Pimentel, 22, on two counts of arson, four counts of wantonly injuring real and personal property, and six counts of vandalism after six fires were set at McIntire Hall since Nov. 28.
Police finally nabbed the suspect after Norton fire, police and Wheaton College Public Safety said a fire was set in the third floor-hallway in an old bubbler Thursday at 3:26 a.m. The fire was extinguished. During the investigation, police learned of Pimentel.
The student was immediately suspended and has been removed from campus, college officials said.
“We are relieved that the investigation has identified a responsible person, and we are extremely grateful to the Norton Police and Fire departments, to the state fire marshal’s office and Wheaton Public Safety for all their efforts, their professionalism and their persistence in pursuing this investigation to reach a conclusion,” said Kate McCaffrey, vice president of student affairs and dean of students in a letter to the school community.